Closure cap for containers

ABSTRACT

A sheet metal closure cap embodying a tear-strip extending diametrically of the panel and defined by two opposed scores extending from points in the upper areas of the skirt to a zone slightly beyond the cap axis where they are joined together by an arcuate score, there being a pull-ring overlying the tear-strip and secured to the tear-strip near the arcuate score. The pullring is plastic (polyethylene) and the invention also includes means for fastening a plastic pull-ring to a tear-strip by a rivet wherein a flanged bushing or a cylindrical collar is disposed in an aperture of the plastic pull-ring and interposed between the plastic and the rivet reinforcing the fastening of the pull-ring to the tear-strip.

United States Patent [72] Inventors John D. Hatfield Perrysburg; Richard A. Heaton, Toledo, Ohio 21 Appl. No. 825,] 16 [22] Filed May 5, 1969 [45] Patented Feb. 9, 1971 [73] Assignee Owens-Illinois, Inc.

a corporation of Ohio Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 579,911, Sept. 16, 1966, now abandoned.

[54] CLOSURE CAP FOR CONTAINERS 17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 215/46, 215/39, 220/54 [51] Int. Cl 365d 43/ 02, 865d 41/10 [50] Field of Search 215/465, 39, 40; 220/54 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,571,898 10/1951 Kondakow et al 215/46 N VIII/In 71.1111

II'I'IIIA I4 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'I 2,741,388 4/1956 Rubin 215/39 3,286,875 1 H1966 Frankenberg 215/46 3,403,811 l0/1968 Moller et a1. 220/54 FOREIGN PATENTS 658,870 10/ l 951 Great Britain 220/42B(789) Primary Examiner-George T. Hall AttorneysJohn R. Nelson and Edward]. Holler ABSTRACT: A sheet metal closure cap embodying a tearstrip extending diametrically of the panel and defined by two opposed scores extending from points in the upper areas of the v CLOSURE CAP ron CONTAINERS RELATED APPLICATION The present invention is a continuation-in-part of copending application, Ser. No. 579,911 filed Sept. I6, 1966, now abandoned.

SPECIFICATION AND CLAIMS Our invention relates to closure caps for bottles, jars and other like containers, and more particularly those utilized for beer and carbonated beverages.

An object of our inventionis the creation of a so-called convenience" closure cap providing an external side seal o n the container involved and incorporating novel effective cap removal means which will not detrimentally affect either the ease of cap application or its ready removal by hand and without resort to the use of special tools.

A further object of our invention is the provision of a sheet metal closure cap, aluminum for example, embodying a novel form of tear-strip" and pull-ring arrangement which will facilitate easy removal of the cap and with no danger of injury to the person of the individual involved.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a metal closure cap as indicated above, which is readily and reliably applicable to an exterior side seal type container through resort to a cold-working operation such for example as conventional rolling.

A still further object of our invention is the provision of a closure cap of the above character embodying a tear-strip defined by a pair of scores or score-lines which, while effective in facilitating cap removal do not extend far enough into the attaching skirt to adversely affect the skirt-rolling operation. Thus, even though the scores are of sufficient depth to make cap removal quite easy they are not located even in part, in the path of the rolls which constrict the cap skirt into firm holding engagement with the bottle or such container.

It is likewise an object of out invention to provide a tearstrip and plastic pull-ring feature in a sheet metal closure cap wherein the ring is of substantial diameter to facilitate ready manual finger grasping of same with no tendency to cut the individual.

Finally, it is an object of our invention to provide novel means for securely interconnecting the plastic pull-ring and tear-strip.

More particularly, it is an object of our invention to provide a pull removal device fastener wherein the point of attachment of the removal device to the closure tear-strip is reinforced by a flanged collar, or bushing, preferably of metal, that will obviate failure of the closure; such as, when the fastener or rivet tears from the removal device prior to initiating or completion of severing the tear-strip during use of the pull removal device in convenience opening of the closure from the container mouth.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of our application:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a closure cap embodying our invention affixed to a container.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the cap and fragment of the bottle shown in FIG. 1, wherein the sealing element or liner does not extend across the mouth of the bottle.

FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2 but with the sealing element closing the bottle mouth and the tear-strip so formed that there is a small generally transverse slot at the point of initial tear-strip separation thereby. to facilitate initiating such separation.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing the initial step involved in securing the pull-ring to the tear-strip wherein the apertured ring is slipped over the hollow upstanding boss.

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4, but with the boss reshaped to form an annular locking bead or shoulder overlying the aperture wall.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the tear-strip with the transverse slot embodied in the structure of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another form of ring connector.

In one embodiment of our invention, it is shown attached to the outwardly flared neck 10 of a glass bottle or jar, such neck having an annular bead II at its rim end defining the mouth opening 12. The exterior of this neck in that area near the rim provides a continuous sealing surface I3 designed for cooperation with the closure cap C in hermetically sealing the bottle and because of its outward flare contributes materially to reliable retention of the closure cap against the pressure of the packaged contents.

This cap, which is formed of sheet metal and preferably aluminum, comprises a panel 14 or top portion and a peripheral depending attaching skirt I5 or flange. A small radius l6 joins the panel and skirt. Within the cap is an annular sealing ring 17, gasket or liner, such lying against the interior surface of the skirt l5 and radius 16. If preferred, this sealing means may be a cuplike element of plastic or other suitable material covering the entire surface of the cap. The choice may well be dictated by the product being packaged and/or the specific tear-strip construction as will be explained later herein. Application of the closure cap to a filled bottle involves merely telescoping the gasketed cap over the neck 10 and bringing rollers (not shown) of conventional apparatus (not shown) into rolling engagement with the lower fraction of the skirt exterior. This conventional procedure contracts the skirt l5 and presses the gasket firmly against the sealing surface 13 and constricts the skirt to a diameter somewhat less than that of the neck itself, thus insuring against cap displacement and leakage or loss of product.

Ready removal of the closure cap, without any need for special tools, is possible because of our novel tear-strip and pullring arrangement. A tear-strip 18 extends diametrically across a major fraction of the cap panel 14 being defined by two straight convergent side scores 19 such that the wide or broader end of the strip is at or adjacent the periphery of the panel while the other end is near, though slightly beyond the panel axis. At the narrow end, the two scores 19 are joined together by an arcuate score 20. A single radial score 21 extends from the medial point of this arcuate score 20 to the nearest point of the radius 16 at the panel periphery. The other or convergent scores 19 extend into the radius 16 (FIG. 1) with one of them extending well into the skirt proper but terminating in the upper fraction of the skirt or in any event not below the median point, height wise. Thus, there is no score in the path of the skirt-constricting rollers.

Separation of the tear-strip 18 along the scores 19 is effected by means of a pull-ring 22 which though preferably formed of polyethylene or some similar plastic material, may be of metal. It is of substantial diameter to facilitate ready firm grasping and is anchored to the narrow end of the tear-strip 18. In the illustrated form the anchoring means is a drawn hollow rivet 23 produced by initially forming a hollow upstanding boss at the small inner end of the tear-strip. This boss enters an aperture 24 in the pull-ring and then is crushed axially to produce an annular retaining shoulder or bead 25 which secures the ring to the strip. It will be observed that the pullring 22 is widened substantially at its point of connection to the strip to increase its strength and resistance to rupture. Also, this pull-ring 22 encircles the small end of the tear-strip and normally lies flat against this strip and the panel. It will therefore be apparent that quite in contrast to the customary procedure involving inserting a finger tip or finger nail beneath an end of the tear-strip and thereby initiating actual strip separation, our novel arrangement permits one to first lift the pull-ring with ease to a position at which it may be grasped firmly before any strip-tearing is in fact initiated. Then the pull-ring is drawn generally toward the cap periphery and thence in a direction about the cap skirt, such completing the cap-removing operation. Thus, instead of using only one finger to initiate tear-strip separation two or more fingers grasp the pull-ring, thereby enabling one to exert maximum force at the outset in tearing the strip along the scores 19.

It will be observed that one score 19 extends well into the skirt. Thus, when one wishes to remove the closure cap, the pull-ring 22 is lifted to perhaps the dotted line position (FIG. 3) and'then is pulled upwardly and laterally separating the strip along the scores 39 and completely across the skirt at the single score which extends well into the skirt. Thereupon, the ring and strip are pulled in a generally clockwise direction so as to break the cap panel along the score 2i, thereby completing the cap removal operation. The sealing ring may be removed with the cap or pulled off as a final step.

As a means to facilitate initiation of the tear-strip removal we actually cut out a narrow width of metal along the arcuate narrow end of the tear-strip (FIGS. 3 and 6) to create an arcuate slot 26. Thus, the resistance to initiating tearing of the strip is minimized, as is obvious. Where we resort to such slotting it is apparent that the sealing means must extend across the panel interior as well as down along the skirt to insure against leakage of the product, etc.

It is believed evident in view of the foregoing, that cap removal involves grasping the pull-ring 22, lifting same and then pulling it in an upward direction along the length of the str 9 toward the cap periphery and thence in a circular direction about the cap axis until the panel separates along the score 21. Until such removal is desired, the tapered or curved sealing surface 13, effectively holds the cap'against axial displacement.

ln FIG. 7, we have shown another form of connector fastening the tear-strip l8 and pull-ring 22 securely together. This involves the placement of a flanged metal collar 27 about the hollow rivet 23 so that the radial flange 28- projects a substan- .tial distance radially over the pull-ring. The head of rivet 23 is thereupon, flattened, as shown, to secure the pull-ring 22 to the tear-strip 18. Thus, we provide added insurance against premature separation of the ring from the tear-strip. lf preferred, the collar portion may be omitted so that the flange 28 in effect becomes the equivalent of a collar or simple washer.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

I. A closure cap for a container having a mouth opening defined by an annular rim and including outwardly of said rim an annular downwardly and inwardly tapering sealing surface, comprising a metal cap element having a top panel portion, a depending attachedannular skirt joined peripherally with said panel portion, the annular skirt being telescoped over said rim and contracted tightly about said sealing surface, a prescored tear-strip integral with said metal panel portion and skirt and defined by a continuous score comprising a pair of unequal length divergent, radially outwardly directed scores, the shorter one of said scores terminating in the skirt and the longer one of said scores extending into the skirt to be at least in close proximity to the lower edge of the latter, said pair of scores beginning in the central region near the axis of said panel portion and merging in said region, pull-ring means and means attaching said pull-ring means to the one end of the tear-strip adjacent the said merged scores, the attached pullring being disposed substantially flat against the portion of the tear-strip in the top panel and said pull-ring overlying said top panel portion of the tear-strip, the pull-ring means being operable as a lever for initiating the severing of the tear-strip from said panel upon lifting said pull-ring means and continued pulling force applied to said pull-ring means severs the cap skirt at its lower periphery only along the path of said longer one of the scores of 'said teanstrip, thereby causing one-piece removal of said cap element from contracted engagement with said container.

2. Theclosure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the tear-strip includes a slot in the metal along said score in the top panel opposite the location of attachment of said pullringmeans'on the tear-strip, said means being disposed intermediate said slot and said terminal ends of the pair of scores, thereby minimizing resistance to initiation of tearing of the strip upon operating said pull-ring means.

'3. Tli'lifih'ap defined irT'ElaiinT, wlTei-EE ihEUSst'iY cap includes a liner underlying the top panel portion of the metal cap element.

4. The closure cap defined in claim 3, wherein the liner comprises a cuplike element of plastic material interposed between the metal cap element and the container, engaging the annular sealing surface of the container and covering the mouth of the container.

5. A two-piece closure cap for a glass container having a mouth opening defined by an annular rim and including, outwardly of said rim, an annular downwardly, inwardly tapering sealing surface comprising an elastomer cap element having an annular sealing ring and an integral, annular, downwardly and inwardly depending sidewall, said sealing ring engaging over the annular rim of said container mouth, said sidewall having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum external diameter of said rim, said elastomer cap element adapted to snap-fit over said container rim and engage said sealing. surface, a metal cap element'nestingly overlying said elastomer cap element comprising a panel portion, a depending attached skin about the periphery of said panel'portion, a continuous prescored tear-strip integralinsaid metalpanel portion and skirt and defined by a pair of radially, outwardly directed scores each beginningin the central region of the" top panel, one of said scores terminating in the skirt and the other of said scores extending farther along the skirt terminating at least in close proximity'to the lowerper' ipheral edge of the latter, and an arcuate score merging with said pair of scores in said central regionof: the top panel, pull-ring means, and means attaching said pull-ring means to said-tear-strip adjacent said arcuate score and disposed substantially flat against the tear-strip and encircle said arcuate score, said pullring means operating as a lever thereby initiating severing the tear-strip upon raising the pull-ringsubstantially, the unequal length scores providing for removal of the metal cap element in one piece by'the operation of the pull-ring means to the extent of severing the skirt periphery only in the path of said vfurlhe most score.

9. The closurecapdefined in @1551, wherein the pull-ring means is comprised of polyethylene.

10. A' convenience opening closure comprising a tear-strip portion therein defined by means weakening the closurealong a predetermined path, a pull removal device for sever ing said'tear-strip portion, a fastener attached'to said tearstrip and having a head portion to be applied in firmly .con-

necting said devide to the tear-strip, said device including an aperture receiving said fastener prior to application of the head portion thereof, and a preformed collar in said aperture and interposed between said fastener and said device, the head of said device being applied and covering said collar to firmly engage said collar.

11. The closure defined by claim 10 whifiiyiiiti fi ki of ametal, the collar including-an enlarged'flange portion bearing against the outer surface of thepull removal device adjacent its aperture, the head portion of the fastener comprising a flat tened rivet formed subsequent to telescopic assembly of said collar and removal device on the fastener, the rivet engaging.

said flange.

comprised of metal.

16. The closure defined by claim l0, wherein the collar comprises a metal bushing interposed between said fastener and the pull removal device.

17. The closure defined in claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises a hollow rivet formed integrally from the metal tear-strip in said closure. 

1. A closure cap for a container having a mouth opening defined by an annular rim and including outwardly of said rim an annular downwardly and inwardly tapering sealing surface, comprising a metal cap element having a top panel portion, a depending attached annular skirt joined peripherally with said panel portion, the annular skirt being telescoped over said rim and contracted tightly about said sealing surface, a prescored tearstrip integral with said metal panel portion and skirt and defined by a continuous score comprising a pair of unequal length divergent, radially outwardly directed scores, the shorter one of said scores terminating in the skirt and the longer one of said scores extending into the skirt to be at least in close proximity to the lower edge of the latter, said pair of scores beginning in the central region near the axis of said panel portion and merging in said region, pull-ring means and means attaching said pull-ring means to the one end of the tear-strip adjacent the said merged scores, the attached pull-ring being disposed substantially flat against the portion of the tear-strip in the top panel and said pull-ring overlying said top panel portion of the tear-strip, the pull-ring means being operable as a lever for initiating the severing of the tear-strip from said panel upon lifting said pull-ring means and continued pulling force applied to said pull-ring means severs the cap skirt at its lower periphery only along the path of said longer one of the scores of said tear-strip, thereby causing one-piece removal of said cap element from contracted engagement with said container.
 2. The closure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the tear-strip includes a slot in the metal along said score in the top panel opposite the location of attachment of said pull-ring means on the tear-strip, said means being disposed intermediate said slot and said terminal ends of he pair of scores, thereby minimizing resistance to initiation of tearing of the strip upon operating said pull-ring means.
 3. The closure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the closure cap includes a liner underlying the top panel portion of the metal cap element.
 4. The closure cap defined in claim 3, wherein the liner comprises a cuplike element of plastic material interposed between the metal cap element and the container, engaging the annular sealing surface of the container and covering the mouth of the container.
 5. A two-piece closure cap for a glass container having a mouth opening defined by an annular rim and including, outwardly of said rim, an annular downwardly, inwardly tapering sealing surface comprising an elastomer cap element having an annular sealing ring and an integral, annular, downwardly and inwardly depending sidewall, said sealing ring engaging over the annular rim of said container mouth, said sidewall having a minimum internal diameter less than the maximum external diameter of said rim, said elastomer cap element adapted to snap-fit over said container rim and engage said sealing surface, a metal cap element nestingly overlying said elastomer cap element comprising a panel portion, a depending attached skirt about the periphery of said panel portion, a continuous prescored tear-strip integral in said metal panel portion and skirt and defined by a pair of radially, outwardly directed scores each beginning in the central region of the top panel, one of said scores terminating in the skirt and the other of said scores extending farther along the skirt terminating at least in close proximity to the lower peripheral edge of the latter, and an arcuate score merging with said pair of scores in said central region of the top panel, pull-ring means, and means attaching said pull-ring means to said tear-strip adjacent said arcuate score and disposed substantially flat against the tear-strip and encircle said arcuate score, said pull-ring means operating as a lever thereby initiating severing the tear-strip raising the pull-ring substantially, the unequal length scores providing for removal of the metal cap element in one piece by the operation of the pull-ring means to the extEnt of severing the skirt periphery only in the path of said furthermost score.
 6. The two-piece closure cap defined in claim 5, wherein the arcuate scored segment of the tear-strip includes a slot in the top panel opposite the pull-ring means fastening means.
 7. The closure cap defined by claim 5, wherein a radial score extends from said tear-strip in the top panel outwardly and opposite the pair of score lines of the tear-strip, permitting ease in breaking the cap diametrically in the top panel facilitating one-piece removal.
 8. The closure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the pull-ring means is comprised of polyethylene.
 9. The closure cap defined in claim 1, wherein the pull-ring means is comprised of polyethylene.
 10. A convenience opening closure comprising a tear-strip portion therein defined by means weaking the closure along a predetermined path, a pull removal device for severing said tear-strip portion, a fastener attached to said tear-strip and having a head portion to be applied in firmly connecting said device to the tear-strip, said device including an aperture receiving said fastener prior to application of the head portion thereof, and a performed collar in said aperture and interposed between said fastener and said device, the head of said device being applied and covering said collar to firmly engage said collar.
 11. The closure defined by claim 10 which is comprised of a metal, the collar including an enlarged flange portion bearing against the outer surface of the pull removal device adjacent its aperture, the head portion of the fastener comprising a flattened rivet formed subsequent to telescopic assembly of said collar and removal device on the fastener, the rivet engaging said flange.
 12. The closure defined by claim 11, wherein the pull removal device comprises a pull-ring.
 13. The closure defined by claim 12, wherein the pull-ring is comprised of a plastic material, and the collar is comprised of metal, the flange thereof extending radially substantially over the underlying pull-ring.
 14. The closure defined by claim 13, wherein the plastic pull-ring is comprised of polyethylene.
 15. The closure defined by claim 12, wherein the pull-ring is comprised of metal.
 16. The closure defined by claim 10, wherein the collar comprises a metal bushing interposed between said fastener and the pull removal device.
 17. The closure defined in claim 10, wherein the fastener comprises a hollow rivet formed integrally from the metal tear-strip in said closure. 